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It seems that, since mourning is prohibited during the month of Nisan, one could not observe the restrictions of sefirah until the end of Rosh Chodesh Iyar, since one is also not permitted to mourn on Rosh Chodesh. Yet, we can see that many communities have the kosher custom to observe the mourning of sefirah during the second half of Nissan, even ones that do not say tachnun at any point during the month! How can this be?

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  • Similar: judaism.stackexchange.com/q/6957
    – msh210 ♦
    Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 5:26
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    ? Since when is mourning prohibited during Nissan? I know people who have sat Shiva during Nissan!
    – Double AA ♦
    Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 13:02
  • I've heard it as reasoning for the custom of keeping the restrictions of sefirah between the second of Iyar and Shavuos, and also why Yom HaShoah isn't celebrated among religious Jews, and why it isn't the custom to say tachnun during Nisan.
    – Tatpurusha
    Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 16:49
  • Also, why we don't want to observe taanis habikkurim if we can avoid it, why it's considered especially auspicious to be married in the first week of Nisan, etc. etc. etc.
    – Tatpurusha
    Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 16:55
  • I believe you meant to say ta'anis habechorim. "bikkurim" means "fruit". I don't think we fast for the fruit.
    – Dan
    Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 17:49

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There are various "degrees" of "mourning". Generally, the most noticeable change is refraining from hearing music, which, BTW, is not a minhag mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch. It developed years later and has become a common minhag. (After the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash, one should NEVER listen to music. Few follow this halacha.) Generally, the strict laws of mourning are similar to those done during the 9 days such as not eating meat, not drinking wine, etc. I'm not sure that refraining from music would be considered a form of "mourning" in the strict technical sense. Tachanun, BTW, is not said during both happy occasions as well as sad occasions - it's not said in a mourner's house. So Tachanun cannot be used as your example of implying that it's ommitted only because of happy occasions.

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  • What about e.g. not taking a haircut though?
    – Tatpurusha
    Commented Apr 10, 2014 at 18:18
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    We generally don't eulogize in Nisan IINM.
    – msh210 ♦
    Commented Apr 11, 2014 at 4:55

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